TULANE & COAL SE--My next door neighbor has a bumper sticker on her car that reads, "Oh no...not another learning experience!" Well, Hello 2009! None of us can see into the future, but this much seems certain: some of us will lose our jobs, our cars, our houses, even our partners. So let's confront the dismal economic uncertainties that lie in wait before we get bushwacked by reality.

Here is an economic reality: you have more control over your spending than you do over your income. Here are a couple of ideas that can save you $1000 per month. Now I know that some of these ideas might be labeled 'extreme.' But better to look at them now with a critical eye and maybe some humor than to get all depressed about them later. And most of these ideas really won't change the quality of your life at all...except for the better.

Sell Your Second Car...Savings: $500
If your household has two vehicles and you need to cut back on your expenses, this is definitely the place to start. But maybe surprisingly, the biggest expense in owning a vehicle is not the cost of gasoline, it is depreciation. I know there are a lot of variables, but if you have a newer car it is probably depreciating at a rate of around $200 per month. Gas adds another $100 to $200...say $150. Insurance is another $100 or so. Periodic maintenance like oil changes, wiper blades, antifreeze, batteries, car washes, and hanging pine-scented air fresheners come to another $20. Savings for big ticket maintenance should also be included, maybe another 20 bucks. Parking meters, fees, and tickets could easily add $10...especially if you work downtown or go to UNM. All this comes to a whopping $500.00 per month!

Notice that this does not include the purchase price of the vehicle. Or theft or accidents that fall under your quite sizable insurance deductible.

I know. Will this work for everybody? Is Albuquerque's public transportation system adequate to make this work in your case? The short answer is: Probably, but you might have to move.

The Easy Stuff...Savings: $380
• Only drink water with meals. I'm not saying drink nothing but water, just drink only water with your meals. I figure between eating out and at home this would probably save a household of two between $25 and $100 per week depending whether alcohol is involved. Even at $50 per week that comes to $200 in a month.
• Cancel your Cable TV. My friend Bob Martin went back to using an antenna with his HDTV. He gets 39 channels. The digital system allows broadcasters to send more than one signal. KNME Channel 5, for instance, has 3 separate channels. The problem is that most of the 39 channels are religious, home shopping, or in Spanish but that is true of cable as well. Besides, when surfing, 39 channels is more than enough. It is 90% crap anyway. Cable TV costs $60.
• Shop smarter for food. Organize your menus around sales items. Smith's has great meat sales. And who doesn't drink their 'Big K' sodas? Sunflower Market has a double ad day Wednesdays: They honor both last week's and this week's sales fliers the same day. And MaryAnn's son Ethan claims he saves 30% shopping for food at Walmart. If you can save $30 per week that makes $120 per month.

Rent the Right House...Savings $400
The savings here comes from doubling up, two people sharing housing and utility expenses. If you are a homeowner this may still be possible, but if you are a renter, the opportunities are here to make quite a nice life for yourself and save a bunch of money at the same time.

First of all, let me say that right now is not the time to be thinking of buying a house. The housing market is too unpredictable and you could lose your entire down payment in a year...possibly leaving you upside-down for a decade. Buying a house is only cheaper than renting when housing prices are going up. Otherwise it is a net loser until you have made a substantial dent in the principle and that takes about 20 years. Still, there are reasons to buy...the biggest one being that you want a dwelling in a specific location or of a specific nature, like a house with two master bedrooms. Sometimes you just have to act or never get what you want.

Renting out a room is not as scary as it may appear. Lots of people do it. But if your current house does not give two people enough privacy, consider moving. There are many, many houses that would easily accommodate two or three roommates. Lots of them are in the Nob Hill and University areas where extra room additions and mother-in-law quarters are pretty common.

The added benefit is that these areas are also near the RapidRide stations, which makes getting rid of your car much easier. We are actually in a good time to find a rental in the University ghetto as we are between semesters. Spring is even better. If you have a house with small apartment in back, this would rent for $450 to $500 including utilities. With a shared kitchen but otherwise a separate living area, the price drops to about $350 to $400.

You have to view getting a roommate as an opportunity to meet someone interesting. And if the house or apartment is in your name, any problems with the other person means that they are the one that has to leave. Even so, renting out a room is seen as a desperation move by some. I hope that by talking about it, the reader can look at it objectively and decide without feeling like it is the worst of all possible worlds.

Total Savings per Month: $1280
You can pick & choose among these ideas to arrive at saving $1000 per month. And there are many other ways to save money. If you have some tips please help us all out. The important thing is to look to the future with some sense of optimism and empowerment.

Post-Consumer America
I can think of no more insulting term than to be referred to as a "Consumer." Consuming is the opposite of contributing to a community. As such it is the philosophical and ethical dead-end of current times. When we were attacked on 911 G. W. Bush told us to go shopping. Where is the shared sense of purpose in that? We here on the Duke City Fix are fortunate enough to be called a community. It is in this spirit that we post and comment. It is in this spirit that we share our thoughts and feelings.

Here...have a cookie. And make sure you two hold hands while crossing the street.